Governor Godwin Obaseki has praised the determination and enthusiasm of Edo State voters for coming out to cast their votes in the 2024 governorship election, despite being faced with challenging weather conditions. Heavy rainfall in the state on election day did not deter voters from exercising their civic duty to elect a new governor.
Governor Obaseki, who arrived at his polling unit in Ward 4, Unit 19 at Emokpae Primary School, Oredo Local Government Area, around 11:50 am, completed his accreditation process and cast his vote shortly afterward at 11:57 am. Speaking to reporters after casting his vote, the governor expressed satisfaction with the high voter turnout, especially given the difficult weather.
“You can see that despite the weather, the turnout and enthusiasm of the electorate is high. The ballot box in my polling unit is full, and clearly, this shows that people are interested in this election as they have been adequately mobilised,” Obaseki said, highlighting the resilience and commitment of the people.
He particularly acknowledged the active participation of the youth, noting that their presence at the polling stations signaled their desire to take part in shaping the future of Edo State. According to the governor, this election marks a pivotal moment for the state, as voters showed a strong will to fulfill their civic responsibilities.
“For now, I am pleased with what I see; the election process in my unit has been smooth and efficient, but I just hope that the collation process will be the same, peaceful, and that the results counting will not be disrupted,” the governor added, voicing his hopes for a peaceful continuation of the process.
Obaseki also shared his satisfaction with the presence of federal security agencies, including the military, who were deployed across the state to maintain peace and order. He commended the efforts of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, for ensuring the military’s presence and actions were in line with their promises.
“The military have done a good job and have performed well. The Chief of Defence Staff came to see me and assured me that his men were fully on the ground, and I am pleased with what they are doing,” Obaseki noted. However, the governor raised concerns about reports of certain individuals claiming to be police officers and making arrests at polling stations, particularly in Ogbe.
